How to learn?

I learned by reading books then putting it into practice. I buy plans for the things I want to build and then build them, buying tools and materials as I go.

-- Bondo Gaposis

For me, a lot of pine and a lot of time. The internet is a great resource to learn about the various aspects of woodworking but nothing will replace practice and trail & error. Look in the member index of this site and see if there’s anyone in your area that can mentor.

Thanks, bondogaposis and ChuckC. I have been reading like crazy, subscribing to every magazine, buying and reading every book I can find, looking at every video and reading every site I can find (this is the best sire by the way!) I find myself doing more planning and reading than I do actual projects and building. I guess this is the only way – to learn as I go and teach myself. I will keep on with my projects and doing my best. I was just curious as to how others were taught and learned.
Thanks again.

I read a lot of books, watched the videos and TV shows. It is a lot of trial and error, jump in be safe and work your way up to where you are happy with the results. Woodworking is like sex or golf, in the sense you dont need to be good at to enjoy it. Good luck.

Ha! ShaneA – - – now that is something I can relate to. I will just relax and let it come.
Thanks!

If you can’t find schools to attend try to find a woodworkers club in yiur aera to join. Get involved. Ask other members if any one would to like to share work time in your shop and thiers. It makes the learning process go much faster when it is a groupe activity. Even if it is only two in the groupe.

-- Nils, So. Central MI. Wood is honest.Take the effort to understand what it has to tell you before you try to change it.

Kind of reminds me of the story about the guy in New York City who is looking for Carnagie Hall. He spots a guy walking along with a piano on his back so he asks him “How do you get to Carnagie Hall ?”. The dude answers “Practise man, practise.”

Seriously, read mags, hang around other woodworkers and practise. Lonnie Bird is a wizard but I would not recommend him for a newbie unless money is no object.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

Welcome to LJ’s

We will answer any questions we can, but nothing teaches like experience. Cheap wood and lots of practice.

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/42679

-- -- Rick M.

I am learning by reading books, ww magazines and spending a lot of time on LJ’s and other ww forums, looking at how other woodworkers do what they do. As others have said already, the big thing is practice. I’ve read and watched internet videos and watched an online ww course on doing handcut dovetails but I still majorly suck at them. Same thing with cutting mortise and tenon joints. I could go to a course and have someone hold my hand, but I think I’d still suck at it until I’ve practised, practised, practised.

-- Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

I realize there are no shortcuts and it is practice, practice, practice that refines the skills. I was mainly curious as to whether most folks here were self taught by trial and error (because it sure seems like I make alot of errors!), or if they had instruction. I did take two woodshop classes in high school, but that was 30 years ago. I took Oluf’s suggestion and looked for a club in my area and it turns out we do have one. I will likely go to the next meeting.

Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking – his books are the bible of working with wood.

-- Sam Hamory - The project is never finished until its "finished"!